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Letter to the editor

Thar he goes

By Times Staff Writer
Published January 25, 2008

In a land far, far away, Jose Gaspar XX rents a DVD of Roots, which inspires himto learn more of his family history. All his life, the wayward lad has fought urgesto be a ladies' man, a rolling stone pillaging for money and booze. He begins to wonder if it's in his blood. A few Google searches later, he traces his people back to the early 1800s, to the original Jose Gaspar, the namesake of a big parade called Gasparilla in a city called Tampa - a pirate who enjoyed his wenches as well as booty from overthrown ships. And so, proudof the family prestige, the younger Jose sets out on a voyage from the land of Pleasantvilleto the world of Gasparilla.

*Okay, so our Jose Gaspar is as fictional as the original legend. (No disrespect to any real Jose Gaspars out there!) But maybe you, too, are a first-timer to Tampa's most popular celebration. We've gathered a few factual treasures useful for anyone's Gasparilla excursion this year.

Gasparilla by the numbers

1-million+

Strands of beads sold at Bead Barn by Features

21,000

Bleacher seats at cost of $26 each

10,000

Cuban sandwiches caterers will deliver to corporate tents

48

Corporate tents along Bayshore waterfront

$30

Cost of ticket for parking in a 'no parking' zone

1,200+

Officials on site from various law enforcement agencies

800

Port-O-Lets

[Last modified January 25, 2008, 02:02:29]